FM stations in Orissa celebrate Rath Yatra

The famous Jagannath Rath Yatra commenced in Puri from July 16. And this time, along with the usual television and Web coverage, FM stations in Bhubaneshwar are also celebrating the nine-day festival with a wide variety of programmes.

Radio Choklate 104 FM aired non-stop devotional songs and sermons from 6 am to 6 pm, apart from some special programmes on the first day of the Rath Yatra. The FM station will also gave live updates from Puri, Iskon temple, Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack throughout the festival, besides featuring the first ever exclusive interview with the Maharaja of Puri.

Monica Nayyar Patnaik, Director, Radio Choklate 104 FM, said, “FM per say is local in flavour and it is necessary to have programming related to local fervour. We are proud to have this special programming for Orissa’s most important festival, the Ratha Yatra.”

Meanwhile, Big 92.7 FM began special Rath Yatra related programmes a week before the festival began. The station had local celebrities narrating legends and folklore associated with Lord Jaganath and his temple in Puri. Songs from the latest mythological flick ‘Jai Jaganath’ are being aired throughout the day.

Moreover, special messages from the head priest of the Puri temple and the temple administrators are also being aired. Big 92.7 FM had organised a number of on-ground activities in the build-up to the Rath Yatra. A contest was organised to select ‘Rath captains’, who would update listeners on the movement of the various Raths moving in the city.

Sandeep Jena, Station Head, Big 92.7 FM Bhubaneshwar, said, “Big 92.7 FM would be the first private FM station to cover the proceedings from Puri and give an almost a live feel to its listeners.”

Meanwhile, other FM players, too, are ready with their programme mix for Orissa’s most important festival.